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Friday, October 5, 2012

According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is "the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world." Are you always tired, don’t seem to care about anything one way or another or perhaps have difficulty concentrating. You very well could have an iron deficiency or actually be anemic. If eating foods rich in iron is not helping-then go see your doctor!!

This happened to a very good friend of mine about 10 years ago. At first her doctor told her to eat rare beef (which she still to this day can’t do!). From what I have read iron from an animal source is the best source of iron. He also suggested she eat liver, spinach and various other iron rich foods. She had severe anemia due to a medical condition.

I remember going out to dinner with my friend, her husband and their son. We went to the Outback—Both her husband and I tried to convince her to order the steak on the rare side-well—once it reached the table—she stared at it—she just could not get herself to eat it. She likes her steak very well done. She did eat the potato and veggies which do have some iron in them-but not enough to combat severe anemia! We begged her to just try it-a tiny piece-nope she just kept staring at it. I ended up eating her steak (it was delicious!)

If you are a vegetarian or can’t picture yourself eating rare beef (like my friend) there are vegetable sources-they just don’t contain as much iron. Lentils, Spinach, Beans, Potatoes, Beet Greens, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Kale are good vegetable sources of iron. There are also lots of processed foods which have iron added.

Her doctor finally recommended taking an iron supplement. It took a long time to get her iron levels back to where they should be because she just would not eat that rare beef or liver!! Thankfully the anemia has never returned!

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Before my hysterectomy, I made sure to take my iron supplement every day. I still need it once a week. It really does help! It did not matter how much beef or iron rich veggies that I would eat, I still need my iron supplement.

I have been taking 9 iron pills a day for years now. My anemia got so bad I barely had enough energy to get out of bed,my hair fell out, my teether were brittle. After starting on the iron pills and continuing to take them I have felt 100 times better.